A gardener is estimating the amount of mulch needed for 2 garden beds. There is no room to store extra mulch is it better to estimate a greater or lesser amount than the mulch he needs? Why?
When estimating the amount of mulch needed for garden beds, it is generally better to estimate a slightly greater amount than the mulch that is actually needed. There are a few reasons for this:
1. Accurate coverage: Estimating a greater amount of mulch ensures that there will be enough material to adequately cover the entire garden beds. Having a little extra mulch allows for more consistent coverage and helps to prevent any bare spots where weeds or unwanted plants could grow.
2. Spreading loss: During the process of spreading mulch, there can be some loss of material due to factors like wind, displacement, or uneven spreading. By estimating slightly more mulch than necessary, the gardener can account for these potential losses and still ensure that the garden beds are fully covered.
3. Future needs: Having some extra mulch on hand can be beneficial for future needs. If the gardener needs to add mulch to the garden beds later in the season or in subsequent years, they already have some available without needing to go through the process of purchasing and transporting more material.
So, while estimating a lesser amount of mulch may save some money in the short term, it can result in insufficient coverage and potential challenges in maintaining the garden beds. Therefore, it is generally advisable to estimate a greater amount of mulch than needed to account for these factors and ensure optimal garden bed care.